Following last year’s controversial, desert-based Scorched Earth paid-DLC, which was released before Ark: Survival Evolved even hit 1.0, the game’s newest expansion is called Aberration. It’s set for release later this year, and moves away from the game’s usual prehistoric-with-a-dash-of-fantasy theme to go full sci-fi.
Aberration unfolds on the broken ark that made its debut appearance in the dramatic end-game sequence that Wildcard added at launch. The Aberration ark’s malfunctioning environmental systems, says Wildcard, have created a harsh, unwelcoming world for brave survivors to traverse, one battered by earthquakes, radiation exposure, and gas leaks.
Aberration looks like it will be rich with exotic biomes, flora and tameable fauna. As the announcement trailer makes clear, we’re well out of dinosaur territory now. There are some shots of the Rock Drake— a gliding reptile that can camouflage itself completely. There’s also a Lantern Pug, which basically appears to be a cheery torch. Aberration’s apex predator might be the Nameless Queen which, says Wildcard, can “impregnate your foes with a horrifying reproductive chest-burster.”
The studio says the expansion will introduce over 50 new craft-able Engram items, most of which have a militaristic flavour about them: there are hazmat outfits, charge lanterns, explosive rounds, batteries, glow-sticks, and rail-guns. Oh, and did I mention the rock climbing, zip lines, and wingsuits. Wildcard is going for big action, and there are hints that Aberration will tie-in more closely with Ark’s recently introduced Tek Tier end-game content. Element, the hard-to-acquire resource that powers many of Ark’s desirable high-level sci-fi gizmos, will apparently feature heavily in Aberration, with Elemental chambers, and ferocious Element-infused creatures known as the Aimless making an appearance.
Aberration will be available on PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 this October either standalone for $19.99 or as part of the game’s slightly controversial season pass. Season pass owners will get two exclusive items immediately: the Aberration Helmet, and the Aberration Sword.
